Can I Eat After A White Filling
By
Dr Shivam Jha
This blog post will address the topic, “can i eat after a white filling” and cover topics like what can I eat after white tooth filling, planning your breakfast, lunch and dinner after filling, what is a dental filling, how is a dental filling done, types of dental filling materials, comparison between composite and amalgam fillings, all about white fillings, discomforts experienced after filling and everything about eating after filling including waiting time and how to eat after filling.
Can I Eat After A White Filling
It is advised to eat soft foods after tooth filling and avoid hard and sticky foods and sugary foods that might aggravate the tooth sensitivity and pain.
It is generally recommended to avoid drinking and eating anything that is too hot or too cold for at least two hours after a composite filling.
It is also advised not to drink and eat anything that is at extreme temperatures for 24 hours after an amalgam filling.
Drinking or eating food that is too hot or too cold may cause the restoration material to expand or contract in an abnormal manner leading to its fracture and dislodgement.
What Should I Eat After White Tooth Filling?
Foods to eat after tooth filling are:
- Dairy products including curd, cottage cheese and scrambled eggs
- Soup and broth
- Cooked fruits and vegetables
- Smoothies and protein shakes
- Mashed potatoes
- Oatmeal or cream of wheat
- Butternut squash
- Lentil soup
- Tilapia or other white fish with light seasoning
- Steamed soft veggies like squash or peas
- Polenta or grits
It is advised to eat soft foods after tooth filling and avoid hard and sticky foods and sugary foods that might aggravate the tooth sensitivity and pain.
Planning Your Breakfast, Lunch And Dinner After Composite Filling
Eating hard, sticky, sugary and too hot or cold foods after tooth filling can cause increased tooth sensitivity and pain and might also fracture and dislodge your filling.
But that doesn’t mean that you have no options left! Here is a list of foods that might be interesting and safe to include in your breakfast, lunch and dinner:
Breakfast:
- Omelette
- Oatmeal
- Curd with No or low sugar
Lunch:
- Boiled, extra-soft rice
- Pulses or vegetable soup
- Cooked and mashed green vegetables
Dinner:
- Fish that is boiled and soft
- Oatmeal or wheat cream
- Soft boiled vegetables
What Is A Dental Filling?
Dental filling, as the name suggests, is the use of various materials to fill the hole in the teeth called cavities.
Materials used to fill the cavities are referred to as Filling Materials and the process is known as Dental Filling.
How Is A Dental Filling Done?
- A local anesthetic is used in the first step to numb the soft tissues around the tooth that needs filling. This is essential to give painless dental care.
- Removal of the decayed area of the tooth that needs filling using rotary instruments, or a laser.
- Probing to confirm removal of all decayed parts of the tooth that needs filling.
- After complete removal of the decayed part, cavity preparation is done by cleaning the bacteria and other debris produced during decay removal.
- Liners are applied for nerve protection if the decay has advanced to the root and might irritate the nerve endings.
- If you have opted for a tooth colored composite material for filling, then your dentist will apply the composite in layers and use a special blue light called “curing” to harden the composite material applied.
- Finally, trimming and polishing is done and the filling process is complete.
Types Of Dental Filling Materials
Variety of materials are used for filling. Some of them are listed below:
- Gold fillings
- Porcelain
- Silver amalgam
- Tooth-colored materials called composite resin fillings
- Glass Ionomer
Several factors that need consideration while choosing the best filling material for yourself are:
- Where is the decay located?
- How much decay has involved the tooth?
- If the roots are involved?
- Amount you can bear for a filling?
- Recommendation of the dentist after full examination and X-Ray
After taking all the above points in consideration, you can choose the best filling material for yourself that will have maximum efficacy and minimum discomfort.
Composite Filling Vs. Amalgam Filling
| Composite Filling | Amalgam Filling |
| Tooth Colored With Good Aesthetics | Silver Colored With Poor Aesthetics |
| Cavity preparation involves removal of less tooth structure | More tooth structure is removed during cavity preparation involving even the healthy parts of the tooth |
| Lasts for at most 5 years and is less durable | Lasts for at least 10 to 15 years and is highly durable |
| No discoloration is observed | Grayish discoloration is observed in the surrounding tooth |
| Filling process takes longer as curing is involved | Filling process is 20 minutes quicker when compared to composite filling |
| Expensive and costs two times more than amalgam filling | Amalgam filling is inexpensive |
| Incidences of cracks and fracture is rare | Cracks and fractures occur frequently along with few allergic reaction cases |
| Composite bonds to the tooth structure micro-mechanically by creating pores for additional support | Partial or total etching is now done to bond amalgam to the tooth structure |
White Fillings: Composites, Ceramics And Glass Ionomers
Composites
Pros:
- Aesthetics — Composite fillings closely match the tooth color and therefore are most commonly used for anterior(front) teeth.
- Micro-mechanical bonding with tooth structure for support.
- Additional uses of composite fillings — Composite fillings have additional use in repairing chipped or broken teeth.
- Cavity preparation involves removal of less tooth structure as compared to amalgam fillings.
Cons:
- Lasts for at most 5 years, is less durable and also bears less strength compared to amalgam fillings which last for more than 10-15 years.
- Filling process takes 20 minutes longer than amalgam fillings as curing is involved.
- Multi-visits are possible when composites are used as inlays or onlays.
- Composite fillings being tooth colored are two times more expensive than metal colored amalgam fillings.
Ceramics
- Porcelain is most commonly used in preparing ceramics.
- Stain resistance is more when compared to composites.
- Lasts three times more than the composites, for at least 15 years.
- Being tooth colored and also more durable makes it as expensive as gold.
Glass Ionomers
- Prepared from acrylic and glass material of specific type
- Very weak filling material
- Being weak, it is avoided from use on biting surfaces and common for filling tooth of young children
- Chemically bonds to the tooth
- Fluoride release is common and therefore protects the tooth from developing cavities and undergoing decay.
- Old generation glass ionomer fillings lasted for less than 5 years but new generation of these fillings last more
- Cost is comparable to composites
Discomforts After Getting A Dental Filling
Numbness
Just after the filling is complete, you may feel numb till the effect of local anaesthesia wears off.
Tooth Sensitivity, Pain And Pressure On Biting
Tooth sensitivity after getting a filling done is not uncommon and it may fade away in 1-2 weeks.
Sometimes, the trimming and polishing part is not done accurately, which leaves the filling too high, causing pain and pressure on biting.
This can be corrected by the dentist in no time and will help you to quickly come out of discomfort.
Galvanic Shock
Mostly seen with amalgam fillings, galvanic shock is a type of electric shock in the mouth, produced when two metal fillings touch each other.
All pain and sensitivity might take 2 weeks to subside. If it does not disappear even after 2 weeks, it is recommended to consult your dentist.
Eating After Filling: All You Need To Know
How Long Should I Wait To Eat After Getting My Filling Done?
It is a common question in every patient’s mind and the answer is not that simple. It depends on the following factors:
Filling Type
Amalgam filling takes almost 24 hours to harden and therefore you can only start eating after 24 hours.
Composite hardens as soon as you leave the dental chair and therefore you can eat once the local anesthetic wears off.
Local anesthetic
Local anesthetic applied during the filling process makes the entire procedure pain free as it numbs the surrounding soft tissues.
The numbness takes almost 1 to 3 hours to go away and therefore you must eat after the numbness has subsided.
If you eat when your mouth is still numb, the risk of chewing and damaging your tongue, cheeks and lips increases.
Hence, it is advised to eat only after the numbness in your mouth disappears.
Discomfort After Filling
It is quite normal to face some discomfort like pain and pressure upon biting after filling or soreness in the gums.
Such discomfort may disturb your mood and hasten your desire to eat.
Over the counter pain killer and salt water rinse will help in comforting you.
Sensitivity After Filling
Eating or drinking too hot or cold might cause sensitivity and interrupt your happy eating hours.
This is temporary and will subside in coming weeks after filling and till then it is advised to avoid too hot or cold food or drinks and also foods that are causing sensitivity.
Biting Difficulty After Filling
Sometimes, the trimming and polishing part is not done accurately, which leaves the filling too high, causing pain and pressure on biting.
This can be corrected by the dentist in no time and will help you to quickly come out of discomfort.
How To Eat After A Filling Without Damaging It?
After a filling, you might feel some discomfort and need to follow the following to get some relief:
- Chew on the opposite side of the new filling with minimum pressure
- Eat Soft Foods as hard food puts a lot of pressure on the teeth surface causing discomfort to increase.
- Do not eat foods that are sticky in nature as it may stick to your new filling and dislodge it. This mostly happens with amalgam fillings.
- Eat slowly as this will put less pressure on the tooth and relieve the discomfort.
- Do not eat or drink anything that might trigger tooth sensitivity. Too hot, too cold or sugar rich foods and drinks must be kept away from your palate.
All the above tips might relieve the discomfort caused after filling.
However, your dentist is the best person to give you suggestions based on the type of your filling material and your overall oral hygiene.
CONCLUSION
This blog post addressed the topic, “can i eat after a white filling”. We understood what we can eat after white tooth filling, planning our breakfast, lunch and dinner after filling, what is a dental filling, how is a dental filling done, types of dental filling materials and comparison between composite and amalgam fillings.
The article outlined all about white fillings, discomforts experienced after filling and everything about eating after filling including waiting time and how to eat after filling.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs): Can I Eat After A White Filling
How Long Does It Take to Complete A Dental Filling?
It takes almost an hour or less to fill a single cavity.
In case of multiple cavities, the dentist might give you multiple appointments.
How Long Do The White Fillings Last?
Even if you take all necessary precautions, you might end up ruining your filling because they are not durable for more than 10 to 15 years in case of silver fillings and 5 to 10 years in case of composite fillings.
Are White Fillings Strong?
White fillings that belong to the new generation are much stronger and can bear more pressure than the old ones.
White fillings micro-mechanically bond to the tooth structure and provide stability and strength.
They are however less strong than amalgam fillings and last for 5 to 10 years when compared to amalgam fillings which last for more than 15 years.
Do White Fillings Turn Yellow?
Yes, white fillings can turn yellow when stained.
The white fillings or composites turn yellow mostly on the edges and can change color as the time passes.
The staining can be removed by making the edges sharp.
Why Are White Fillings So Expensive?
White fillings are expensive because of the advanced and modern technology used in preparing them.
Being tooth colored also makes white fillings more expensive as compared to metal colored amalgam or silver fillings.
Other FAQs about Teeth Filling that you may be interested in.
What Can I Eat After Tooth Filling
How Long After A Filling Can You Drink Tea
Can I Drink Coffee After A Filling?
REFERENCES:
Healthline. (2019)
What Is a Filling? Colgate
Dental Health and Tooth Fillings. (2019)
Chewing Tips After A Filling. Colgate
Decloux, Derek, and Aviv Ouanounou. “Local anaesthesia in dentistry: a review.” International Dental Journal (2021).
Williamson R. Clinical management of galvanic current between gold and amalgam. Gen Dent. 1996;44(1):70-73.